World Cup opening ceremony: Who’s performing, when it starts, how to watch

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to make history with an unprecedented launch featuring three simultaneous opening ceremonies across North America. For the first time, the tournament will be initiated in three co-host nations: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. While the US and Mexico have previously hosted (1994, and 1970/1986 respectively), this marks Canada's inaugural time as a World Cup host. This expansive tournament will encompass a record 104 matches spread across 16 host cities, commencing with the opening match in Mexico on Thursday, June 11, and culminating in the final on Sunday, July 19, in New York.

These three interconnected ceremonies, meticulously produced by Marco Balich – the creative director behind several Olympic opening ceremonies – are built around a shared theme emphasizing football's capacity to foster unity across borders. Each event will commence 90 minutes before its respective host nation's opening match. While individual shows will retain distinct character, reflecting Canada’s 'cultural mosaic,' Mexico’s traditional 'papel picado,' and the US’s 'super shiny, glowing cup' motif, they are all linked by this overarching message of global togetherness. FIFA President Gianni Infantino underscored this sentiment, stating the ceremonies would 'bring together music, culture and football in a way that reflects both the individuality of each nation and the unity that defines this tournament.' The Mexico City ceremony is slated for approximately 16 minutes and 30 seconds, while Toronto and Los Angeles will feature roughly 13-minute spectacles. Following these performances, the pitch transitions for team warm-ups before the 25-minute matchday protocol ceremonies, including player walkouts and official introductions, begin.

Mexico City will host the inaugural ceremony and match on June 11 at Mexico City Stadium (formerly Estadio Azteca), where Mexico will face South Africa, echoing the 2010 opener. This event is poised to commemorate Mexican culture through Indigenous performers, contemporary folkloric acts, and papel picado. A constellation of artists from the Official FIFA World Cup Album, including Alejandro Fernandez, Belinda, J Balvin, Lila Downs, and Mana, alongside South African singer-songwriter Tyla, and international stars like Shakira and Burna Boy, are expected to perform. Shakira is also scheduled to co-headline the inaugural FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show. Recognizing the significance, authorities have declared June 11 a public holiday in Mexico City, with strict access protocols around the stadium. Toronto's ceremony on June 12 will precede Canada’s Men’s National Team playing Bosnia and Herzegovina – a momentous first World Cup match on home soil for Canada. The US will then play Paraguay after its opening celebration in Los Angeles, setting the stage for a truly global footballing extravaganza.